Sailing in the British Virgin Islands

Sailing in the British Virgin Islands

Have you dreamed of “real sailing” not on a lake but in a larger body of water? Then you may be ready to spend a week sailing in the BVI-British Virgin Islands. For many years sailors have been traveling to Tortola to Charter sailboats and explore the Islands rich history and culture.

It doesn’t matter if you’re an experienced sailor or a beginner, you will enjoy sailing to a different Island every day, snorkeling in clear water with colorful fish and coral reefs. Visit the “Soggy Dollar Bar”, “Foxy’s”, “The Willy T”, “The Baths” and many other fun places you will talk about for years to come. Enjoy eating fresh lobster on the beach on the Island of Anegada and get a massage at the “Bitter End Yacht Club.” There is so much to see and do, check out the online Cruising Guide for more details. BVI Map.

If you have not sailed much, here are a few lessons you will learn on your journey:

Keys to Crewing a Sail Boat

Get to know the boat & safety

Motoring & Steering

Man-over-board drill

Catching a Mooring Ball

Principles of Sailing

Have fun & take pictures

The Sail Boat

We typically charter 48’ Catamarans that sleeps 8 adults comfortably in 4 cabins and offers amenities such as air-conditioning, freezer, refrigerator, blender, microwave, stereo and DVD/Monitor. Feel free to bring your iPod for music and more. Clean towels, sheets, and pillows are provided in your cabin. You may want to bring an extra beach towel for lying on the deck. The Catamaran is powered either by sail or twin engines, providing guaranteed transit between locations. (See the Video at the bottom of this page and click here for detailed specifications.)

Charter Details

Plan to fly into your destination the day before departure. You can often stay on the boat you charter or at a nearby hotel.

We typically arrive on Tortola on a Saturday, sail out in the afternoon and return to base on the following Saturday morning so you can catch an afternoon flight home.

Meals are prepared by the crew based on pre-selected menus. The menus are chosen by the crew weeks before the trip and food is delivered prior to departure. Plan on eating breakfast each day on the boat and lunches and dinner on the islands. Snacks are provided as well.

Clothing should be light and cool, mainly bathing suits, shorts, and tops. Good deck shoes are required while we are sailing, otherwise, sandals and flip-flops are fine. Gloves are a must as we will be raising sails and handling dock lines every day. Remember to bring clothing for land-based adventures, i.e. walking attire and rain gear.

To get from the sailboat to land we use a small dinghy with an outboard motor. Bring a “dry bag” to keep personal items dry in transit to and from land.

As we are near the tropics, you can expect light rain a few times during the week.

RSVP

To reserve a cabin for you and your bunk-mate please send a $1000 deposit by Check, PayPal or Credit card. The cabins are double occupancy or you can pay for a cabin for yourself. Deadline for all payments is 4 months before dock departure. Click here to let Captain J.R. know your interest.

“BYOC” – Build Your Own Charter

There are many more options of boats, time of year and sail plans when you Build You Own Charter. Contact Captain J.R. to get more details and receive a quote. This is good for family reunions, company team building, executive retreats, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries and bucket list. If you have the desire and resources, we can plan a unique and special charter for you.